Protests in Kolkata, Hyderabad against diplomat arrest

Protests broke out in Kolkata and Hyderabad today against the arrest and subsequent ill-treatment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York even as the incident continued to draw criticism from parties across the political spectrum.

With India locked in a face-off with the US over the treatment meted out to Khobragade, Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam also spoke disapprovingly of the action by American law enforcement agencies.

It was upto the government to decide on what steps should be taken, "but as an individual, it should not happen to our high officials," he told reporters in Chennai.

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) lent its support to the protests against the "humiliating treatment" of the diplomat and demanded that US tender an unconditional apology.

CPI-M and Congress cadres organised marches to the American Center in Kolkata.

Condemning the US action against Khobragade, DYFI and SFI of the CPI-M and the Congress said the case should be withdrawn immediately.

CPI-M's protest march began from Esplanade and was stopped near the Lindsay street crossing where the slogan-shouting members carrying anti-US placards and festoons demonstrated and put up a roadblock.

The Congress march began from the Birla Planetarium, opposite to Shakespeare Sarani, and was stopped by the police near ITC Park.

Seventy-two DYFI and SFI activists and 17 Congress workers were arrested in connection with the protest, the police said.

In Hyderabad, Left workers and other activists held a protest outside the US Consulate at Begumpet.

The protesters, under the banner of All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO), raised slogans against the US administration.

They held placards accusing US of being a racist country. Police removed the protesters from the place.

Several activists had staged protests outside the American Embassy in New Delhi yesterday.

Accusing the US of double standards, BJP said circumstances surrounding the criminal case against Khobragade were suspicious and the issue impinged upon the sovereignty of India.